Conference on Sermon Studies2017: Text

andPerformance

Oct 19th, 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

The principles and required elements of the officialFriday Sermon “Khotbat Al-Jumu’a’ in IslamMajed J. KhaderMarshall University, khader@marshall.edu

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Recommended CitationKhader, Majed J., "The principles and required elements of the official Friday Sermon “Khotbat Al-Jumu’a’ in Islam." Paper presented atthe Conference on Sermon Studies: "Sermon: Text and Performance," Huntington, WV, October 2017.https://mds.marshall.edu/sermon_conference/2017/All/3

THE PRINCIPLES AND REQUIRED ELEMENTS OF THE OFFICIAL FRIDAY SERMON “KHOTBAT AL-JUMU’A’ IN ISLAM

BY

DR. MAJED KHADERPROFESSOR, MARSHALL UNIVERSITY

Presented AtSermon Studies Conference

Marshall UniversityOctober 19-21, 2017

Presentation Abstract◦ The principles and required elements of the official Friday Sermon “Khotbat Al-Jumu’a’ in Islam

◦ In Islam, adherents are required to perform five daily prayers, preferably in congregation, though that is not required

if means are unavailable. Believers are also required to assemble on Fridays at noon, in place of the normal daily

noon prayer. This is to take place at a mosque or at any area hat may be able to accommodate a large gathering

to perform a special congressional prayer called Friday Prayer or “Salat Al-Jumua’.”

◦ This special Friday congregational prayer, Salat Al-Juma’, must consist of two main parts: a sermon and a

prayer. The sermon must follow certain guidelines inherited from the practice of the Prophet Muhammad as well as

from his recommended actions as performed and practiced by his companions. The prayer sessions elements

should be like the elements of any ordinary required prayer elements.

◦ This presentation will cover and elaborate on the Friday Sermon guidelines and principles. Areas to be address

include sermon sections, content, length, and method of delivery.

◦ The outcome of this presentation is to educate interested individuals about this Islamic required act and religious

duty. Another possible outcome is to clarify misconceptions or any false impression associated with this subject.

Presentation Outline

◦ First section of the presentation – covers general information

◦ Second section - covers the topic of the presentation

Vocabulary frequently used during this presentationFor the purpose of this presentation, the followings are some categories of

concepts/names/titles, etc. These names in each category are synonyms.

◦ Mosque, masjid, Islamic Center, place of worship-all may carry the same meaning

◦ Khotbah, Khotba, Friday Khotbah, Kotba, Sermon, official religious speech, required

Friday ritual, Khotbat Al-Jumua’

◦ Imam, Khteeb, Sheik, Religious leader, Friday Prayer Speaker,

◦ Hadeath, Hadith, Hadeeth, Sunna, Sunnah, Sonna, etc. -Teachings and tradition of

prophet Muhammad

◦ Raka’ an act of a main prayer session

Spelling variation of the word “Khotba”

◦ Due to translation, lacking of exact letters in the other language for translation

purposes, vowel issues, and due to the absentee of standardized spelling guidelines,

the spelling of the word Khotba may found written in various forms including: Khotba;

Khutba; Khotbah; Khutbah; Kotba; Kutba; Kotbah; Kutbah, …….. (probably several

others)

Definition of Khotbah

◦ Linguistically: Formal speech at a given event or occasion

◦ Religiously: Formal religious speech on a given subject. Such speech should consists of

verses from the Quran and Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. It may include

historical religious stories as well as religious guidelines, recommended actions, and

advise that pertains to the subject of the Khotbah.

◦ Khotbat Al-Jumua (Friday Sermon): Formal speech given during the mandatory act of

worship held on Friday at noon

Types of Khotbah

◦ Official & Required Khotbah- Examples are Friday Khotbah and & Eid Khotbah. These

are religious speeches given by a religious figure (e.g. Imam) on a given topic or

occasion of importance to a congregation or audience. This occasion could be

◦ Current event – Celebrating New Year, a calamity that just happened, etc.

◦ Commemoration of a religious, historical or social event and lessons learned from that event

Religious: Pilgrimage, Fasting, etc.

Historical: Biography of an important person such as a prophet of God

Social Event: Good result (unity, friendship) as an outcome of fund raising for a good cause

◦ Unofficial-social occasions sermon-marriage, death, etc.

Religious Ruling of the Friday Khotbah

◦ Friday prayer is not valid without Khotbah

◦ The Khotbah and the prayer both fulfil this religious obligation. Performing one part

and leaving the other does not fulfil this required act of worship

Frequency

◦ Friday Khotbah-once a week. To precede the prayer

◦ Eid (Festival) Khotbah- twice a year-to be preceded by the prayer

◦ Ceremonials and Occasional-As needed: Cutting of ribbons of projects, marriage, etc.

no specific rules

History of the Friday Khotbah

◦ Birth of Islam. Prophet Muhammad time

◦ After the Prophet time-recent days

Purpose of the Khotbah

◦ Preaching (Principle)

◦ Education (Secondary and minor)

Who delivers the Khotbah

◦ Imam (religious spiritual leader). Title is equal to Priest, Bishop, Chaplain, Minister,

Reverend, Pastor, Rabbi, etc.

◦ A substitute for the Imam or a guest who meets the criteria of the Imam’s title

◦ Any high ranking religious leader such as minister of Islamic affairs, chief religious court,

Islamic court Judge

Qualifications of the person (mainly an Imam)who delivers the Khotbah◦ God Fearing

◦ Known to the community or to the persons in charge of the affairs of the community

◦ Knowledge of the Quran-preferable some one who memorizes the Quran or several of

its chapters/verses

◦ Knowledge of the prophetic traditions

◦ Formal education in Islamic studies

◦ An adult is preferred

◦ Male-for the formal Khotbah-Friday an Eids

Religious Protocols/Required Elements of Friday Khotbah- Requirements of the Imam or whoever delivers the Khotbah-Part one-Essentials

◦ Must be ritually clean, perform such cleaning before coming to the mosque, wear clean, nice dress, and perfume (nice scent) if available or affordable (take your beauty to every masjed)

◦ Deliver the Khotbah while standing and facing the congregation. Must be in standing position when delivering the sermon.

◦ Audience Salutation: Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatyu Allah Wa Parakatuh: Peace and Mercy of God be on You.

◦ Praising God. Words may vary, but they might be as simple as “Alhamdo Lilah Rab Al-Alameen: Praise be to God, the God of all).

◦ Urge worshipers to fear God and be righteous

◦ Taka a short break (a minute or so, set, and stand up again and start the second part of the Khotbah.

◦ Recite during the Khotbah (first and/or second part) at least one verse from the Quran and one Hadith to relate the topic to what has been presented in Quran and Hadith (reinforcement)

◦ Prayer or supplication for the believers and everybody in need which may benefit them now and on the day of judgement

◦ Frequent reminders to fear God throw-out the Khotbah session

Religious Protocols/Required Elements of Friday Khotbah- From the Imam or from whoever deliver the Khotbah-Part Two-Common Sense

◦ Relevant subject to preach and educate the congregation

◦ Limit to one main subject or topic

◦ Speak in clear and loud enough voice to be heard

◦ Speak in standardized Arabic not slang, local dialect, or understood words

◦ Make it an interesting speech not a boring one-You may change voice tones, hand movements to highlight Khotbah’s main points

◦ Laughing, jokes, immoral acts, or bad language is not permissible

◦ Singing is not allowed as part of the speech- https://themuslimtimes.info/2017/09/27/al-azhar-imam-suspended-apologizes-for-singing-umm-kulthum-song/

http://top.adlesse.com/en/i/530947283624450548/al-azhar-imam-suspended-apologizes-for-singing-umm-kulthum-song

◦ Reinforce Khotbah with real stories from the past or present-prophetic stories are among the best to tell.

◦ Good command and balance Kotbah time. Not too long or too short

◦ Avoid touchy subjects or words (sex, race, color, nationality, etc.) divisive language, troublesome topics

◦ Urge the congregation to apply what they have heard in their daily lives and not to make them feel that this is a routine thing needed to be delivered and forgotten after the prayer

Religious Protocols/Required Elements of Friday Khotbah- Requirements from participants or attendees during the Khotba

◦ Perform ritual cleansing before coming to the Mosque, wear clean, nice dress, and

perfume (nice scent) if available/affordable. (Take your beauty to every Masjed)

◦ Attend the sermon from the very beginning

◦ Not allowed to ask the speaker any questions while speaking until the prayer session is

concluded

◦ Not allowed to start conversation with others while the Khotbah is in session, not even a

single word

◦ Not allowed to eat or drink

◦ Preferable to set still and not moving around

◦ Not to pray-preferable-during the delivery of the speech. Set and listen

Khotbah Guidelines: Rules and traits that

distinguish Friday Khotbah from other religious

events that may require Khotbah or speech◦ Religious ruling: Mandatory to attend from beginning to end as part of Jumua’ prayer

◦ Timing: Noon prayer time - After the second call of the prayer and before the actual Friday prayer

◦ Language: Arabic –Justification include

1. Form of dhikr and worship like prayer and Haj are not a source of education

2. Islamic Jurists (The main four schools of thought for Islamic jurisprudence: Maliki, Shafi, Hanbali, &Hanafi) insist the Arabic is a must.

3. common and historic

4. It is part of the prayer-the prophet said” the khotbah has been prescribed in lieu of two rakat.

5. The call for the prayer is in Arabic

6. Actual prayers are in Arabic

7. Haj words are in Arabic

8. Islamic greeting is in Arabic

9. Muslims being internationally united

10. History of delivery sense prophet time-Consistent Practice

11. Muslims should have “common ground” to distinguish them from other people of faith

Restriction While the Khotbah still in session

◦ No music –background, pre, and after. Music has no room during any prayer in Islam

◦ No talking while the Imam is still in charge (Khotbah in session)-no one is allowed to

utter a single word “if you speak during Khutbah on Friday, you commit absurdity”

◦ No moving around or changing place again while the Imam still is in charge (Khotbah

in session)

◦ Better control of little children-playing, screaming, running around, crying, etc.

Summary

◦ No Friday prayer is valid without a Khutbah

◦ Must be delivered during the prescribed time of the Jumua prayer-other prayers and

Khotba types could be flexible

◦ Practiced live, face to face with the Imam, not via live streaming like TV, Internet,

recorded messages, YouTube, etc.

Thank You

◦ Questions

Consulted Works (References)

Besides personal knowledge and experience, the following is a short list of consulted works

◦ Guidelines for delivering Friday Khutbah. Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc. retrieved 8/24/2017

◦ The Holy Quran: Translation and Commentary by A. Yousef Ali. Amana Publications, 1983.

◦ The Holy Quran. Quran Explorer. http://islam.onepakistan.com.pk/quran/explorer/ retrieved 8/20/2017

◦ Sahih Muslim. The Book of Prayer – Friday. https://sunnah.com/muslim/7 retrieved 8/28/2017

◦ Sayed Sabq. Fiqh Al-Sunah (Arabic)Volume 1. Pages 233-38; 243244. Beirut, Dar-Alfikr, 1995

◦ Tarsin, Amjad M. (2012). A Practical guide to giving Friday Sermons. http://seekershub.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Practical-Guide-Friday-Sermon-Ustadh-Amjad-Tarsin-SeekersHub.pdf Retrieved 9/10/2017

◦ Usmani, Mufti Muhammad Taqi. “The Language of the Khutba.” in Qafila: Quenching a Future Imam’s Learning Aspiration. http://www.qafila.org/language-of-the-Khutbah/ retrieved 8/24/2017